søndag 19. desember 2021

US comes a-courting in Asean as it pressures Beijing. What will it achieve?

There was widespread anticipation that the United States would offer more details on its Indo-Pacific security and economic plans in Southeast Asiaduring Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent visit to the region. But apart from criticising Beijing’s “aggressive actions” in Asia and ensuring competition with China does not veer into a “catastrophic” conflict, details on how the US plans to translate its Indo-Pacific strategy from vision to reality were conspicuously missing.

However, Blinken’s visit did underscore and deliver the message that the United States is serious and committed about rebuilding Southeast Asian ties that were frayed, even neglected under former president Donald Trump’s administration.